Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-08-07
THB RICHMOND DIsPATCH---sUNDAY AUGUST T. 1887

The department, when he feels
that his presence is absolutely
required, and becomes so indolent that
he has to delegate that work TO Others,
he becomes unfit for the position. As
well expect the City Engineer, Super
intendents OF the Gas and Water Works
to sit down in their Offices and have no
personal knowledge Of the running OF
their departments as to expect it Of the
head OF this department. He il not
only compelled TO supervise the work
heretofore noted, but cases have fire.
quently occurred in which he has been
compelled without delay to visit houses
in which suspected cases of contagious
diseases or deaths have occurred land
this will be largely increased in
case an epidemic of cholera or smallpox
occurs here, for he has recently
by ordinance been placed in charge OF
the small pox hospital, and is superin-
tepdent OF quarantine and health officer
alfo) TO visit the undertakers' establish
monts and cemeteries in the prosecu-
ton of bis duties and the protection of
the lives Of the citizens, as well as to
investigate complaints of chokcd cul.
yeits and other nuisances, and to super
intend the work to prevent suits for
damages against the city.
The physicians of the city report all
contagious diseases-such as scarlet
fever, diphtheria, typhoid-fever, small
pox, &C., when the premises in which
they occur should be rigidly inspected.
defects remedied. and houses and yards
disinfected.
Besides these outdoor duties, the
writing connected with the Office has
TO be attended to without a clerk a
large correspondence kept up; COM
pile weekly; two regular monthly,
quarterly, half-yearly, and yearly re-
ports having twenty exchanges OF
weekly reports, besides furnishing
copies to the Mayor and different daily
papers over one hundred monthly ex-
changes with principal cities and send
ing some one hundred and twenty-five
to physicians; give death-certificates
of persons dying, no physician attend
ing; permits for all bodies to be car
red out Of the city or to be inferred
here from abroad tower one hun
drcd of the former and equally as
many OF the latter have been issued
during this year-the greater proper
ton from this office to enter all GER
tifcates of persons dying in fifteen
column book, and all contagious diseases
reported in "a seven-column book; to keep
anuisance-book, in which the name OF
the person reporting, the character, To-
cation. and means for abating the nui-
sance are entered to enter all culyert
connections, when ordered, name OF
agent or owner OF premises, expiration,
time of notice, location OF culvert to be
connected with keep payroll book,
paying off forty-odd hands weekly; ex-
anime all accounts due by the depart
ments, certifying to their correctness,
and making warrants off for same, the
expenditures of the department being
some 100000 per annum; to keep
a register of all physicians, midwives,
nurses, undertakers, sections OF ceme-
tolies, and to receive and preserve
weekly reports from the last-named Of
fcers to have kept all proceedings of
the board, to make reports and give
opinions Oh all subjects referred either
10y tie Council or citizens, and there is
scarcely day that these opinions are
not sought after by the citizens in the
abatement OF nuisances in connection
with the ordinances. Although Rich
mond receives for 81 200 what Charles
ton, s. c., about half the size of this
city, pays S1,720 for (health officers
salary 81, OC0 and livery at $50 per
month";, and Nashville, Tenn, 81 800
and her health officer allowed to hold a
position by which he makes $500 more
and clerk furnished at $50 per month,
and Richmond paying less than any
city to its size that | have heard OF, 1t
is untrue as alleged by some that the
Health Officer here has ever applied for
an increase of salary, yet the voluntary
action of the Council is none the less
deeply and gratefully appreciated.
Relinquishing everything of private
nature in my desire to do my whole
duty. did last fall bring up the ques-
ton of q horse and buggy to my com
mittee. The committee, approaching
my efforts to make the department a
success, revived the subject some two
weeks ago, feeling that the head OF the
department would be made more eff
cient thereby and come mp to the
full measure of what was ex-
pected of him. 1t was not for
the benefit OF DIR. Stratton personally,
but the Office, as have no other
interests except those identified with
it, although when | approached mem
Der of the committee and prominent
official, requesting their advice as to
my filling another place in connection
with my Office by which my salary
could be doubled, they unhesitatingly
advised me to take it. Yet, afraid that,
with the increased responsibilities, l
should neglect the duties of the Office,
abandoned all attempts to obtain that,
as l did my practice soon after en-
tered on the discharge of the duties OF
the Office L. T.. STRArToN.